Mirror syndrome

The Mirror syndrome ( syn. triple edema, Ballantyne 's syndrome ) refers to a rarely occurring in pregnancy disease, which is characterized by the simultaneous presence of maternal edema and fetal hydrops one.

The name Mirror syndrome refers to the similarity between the maternal and fetal hydrops edema. The first description was in 1892 by John William Ballantyne.

Frequency

The disease is very rare, although it must be assumed that it is not recognized correctly every time. In a systematic review of 2010 a total of 56 case reports were found.

Causes

The pathogenesis and pathophysiology of Mirror syndrome is unclear. The causes of fetal hydrops may be, inter alia:

• Rh incompatibility
• Fetofetales Transfusionssyndrom
• Virus infections
• Fetal malformations

Symptoms

• Edema
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Proteinuria (protein in the urine )

Although the maternal symptoms resemble those of pre-eclampsia, the two diseases have nothing to do with each other.

When fetuses shows hydrops and polyhydramnios if necessary.

Differential Diagnosis

• Pre-eclampsia
• HELLP syndrome

Therapy

A causal therapy is not appropriate at a rapid disease course delivery is desirable. However, if the cause of fetal hydrops are eliminated, the maternal symptoms improve rapidly. While the maternal symptoms are declining even after delivery and thus the maternal prognosis is good, the fetal prognosis of gestational age at birth and of the underlying fetal underlying disease depends.